The Bitterweed Path

By Thomas Hal Phillips,

Book cover of The Bitterweed Path: A Rediscovered Novel

Book description

This long out-of-print and newly rediscovered novel tells the story of two boys growing up in the cotton country of Mississippi a generation after the Civil War. Originally published in 1950, the novel's unique contribution lies in its subtle engagement of homosexuality and cross-class love. In The Bitterweed Path ,…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Bitterweed Path as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Perhaps the most powerful story surrounding The Bitterweed Path concerns the creation of the novel itself. This tale of cross-class, same-sex love set in late 19th century rural Mississippi – a place and time so well evoked you can feel the heat – was originally published in 1950(!). They say historical novels reflect the time in which they’re written at least as much as the time in which they’re set, and there’s a distinct obliqueness to the writing here. That does not detract from the astonishing eroticism of main character Darrell’s first glance at Roger, the boy he will…

Want books like The Bitterweed Path?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Bitterweed Path.

Browse books like The Bitterweed Path

Book cover of Maurice
Book cover of Mark
Book cover of At Swim, Two Boys

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,355

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Mississippi, country life, and social class?

Mississippi 89 books
Country Life 53 books
Social Class 98 books